Love, Joy & Happiness

Each year I make a mental note to “get-more-organized-next-time” when it comes to the holidays. Whether it’s decorations, getting all the holiday shopping done ahead of schedule or not leaving the wrapping until the night before… some years I just feel like I can’t get-it-together!

I know it’s not a competition… but this year we have new next door neighbors who put out a light show and decorated their house two days after Thanksgiving. Then, as the Christmas cards rolled in… I couldn’t find one of the entire family to mail out to everyone.

Honestly, I’m not one of those moms who loves to find matching outfits for the kids or books a photographer in October to take fantastic shots at the park or by the lake. The thought of coordinating a photo shoot stresses me out! I did one not too long ago for this website and well… that was enough. Therefore, this became our virtual Christmas card this year. Dad is behind the lens.

Snowing with short sleeve? Why not!?! Hey, if people can go bikini-skiing I can do snow in short sleeves.

Then there were the gifts. Oy! While our kids have “wants” they don’t have very many “needs.” For the first time in six years, Eric and I looked around and said: man, the older they get the more expensive and less toys you get for your money! Very sad. But the thing is… that our kids don’t need anything and they will get loads of stuff from other family members… so both of us are way over the “our kids need to have this” mentality.

Instead, this year we have focused more on spending time as a family, continuing our tradition of hosting Christmas eve dinner at our house for family and friends and making sure Santa had what he needed.

Want to see what we leave for Santa and the reindeer? You know we live around New Orleans just by what we leave Santa. Hint: a delicious drink, a pick-me-up and a treat from our favorite place.

Wishing you great holiday cheer and a wonderful New Year!